Hi Amanda,
I love your question! It's reasonable to wonder how thousands of
runDisney wild people who are planning to wake up long before the sky to run around
Walt Disney World Resort might impact your exciting vacation. I have good news for you that might sound strange at first: It will. It definitely will.
While you will likely notice very minimal changes if you make sure to use the complimentary and convenient
Walt Disney World Transportation to and from the theme parks on January 9th and 10th (bus drivers will know which roads are closed for the races and they have access to backstage roads for limited interruption) you will absolutely feel a whole new level of excitement in the air.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend has a special buzz. Runners from all over the world appear in one location after training for months, or sometimes years, to test their limits. To see "How far I'll go." Almost all will discover, "What's beyond that [Finish] Line." (A gorgeous medal, a salty snack box, and overwhelming pride.) It's impossible not to feel that anticipation!
Then, you will see proud runners with medals around their necks moving a little more slowly through the theme parks, but with a new sense of achievement.
I also find that since runDisney runners wake up so early, the theme parks feel pretty wide open after dark during event weekends. It's an excellent time to experience popular
attractions with a shorter queue.
I think you will find yourself excitedly saying, "Congratulations! How was it?" to strangers a whole lot more than you do in your normal life. It's hard not to be so proud of these people that you have never met!
You might find yourself waking up at 2:30 AM to join a bus of participants and spectators to go cheer on thousands of people as they cross a finish line they have been imagining for so long. You can witness their success and enjoy how good it feels to be so happy for people you don't even know. (I love running. I REALLY love high-fiving the runners from the sidelines!)
Finally, you just might find yourself checking out the
runDisney Website for yourself to discover how to register for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in 2026. There is nothing like seeing someone else accomplish something big to plant the seed of belief that it's available to you as well. I should warn you: these events are so much fun! Once you complete one, you just might find yourself running an incredible number of Magical Miles.
See? I told you it would impact your vacation!
I wish you so many magical memories, Amanda. Come on back and visit us as your plans develop. We are here to help!
Adventure is out there,
Sally